Detained opposition leader Gvaramia summoned again by parliamentary commission, refuses to cooperate

Detained opposition leader Nika Gvaramia has once again been summoned—this time via remote video link—by a parliamentary investigative commission formed by the ruling Georgian Dream party. The commission, led by MP Tea Tsulukiani, is probing alleged abuses committed by former officials from the 2003–2012.

The letter, addressed to Gvaramia in Rustavi Prison No. 12, requests his appearance on June 30 at 9 a.m. to provide testimony. Gvaramia, however, through his party Akhali, has refused to participate, calling the commission illegitimate and accusing the government of attempting to rewrite history and betray national interests.

“Our position remains unchanged—we will not legitimize the regime’s games or cooperate with a commission that serves only political repression,” the party stated on Facebook.

Gvaramia is currently held in pre-trial detention following a Tbilisi City Court decision on June 13, which revoked his bail citing repeated noncompliance with commission summonses. He joins other opposition figures, including Akhali co-founder Nika Melia, coalition ally Zurab Japaridze, and former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili, who are all currently in custody.

Critics claim the detentions are part of a broader effort by Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili to stifle dissent ahead of the upcoming elections. Government officials maintain that the actions are rooted in legal grounds and are not politically motivated.